Luke Humphries continued his impressive run at the World Grand Prix in Leicester, overcoming a sub‑par Dave Chisnall to secure a place in the second round. Despite a series of missed doubles, Humphries showed resilience and composure, defeating Chisnall 2‑0 with an average of 80.41 and a 26% checkout rate. The win sets up a clash with Jermaine Wattimena, who had previously dispatched Chris Dobey. Humphries, who has reached the final of this tournament three times in a row – winning the title in 2023 and finishing runner‑up twice since – now looks the favorite after defending champion Luke Littler suffered a surprise loss to Luke Woodhouse on opening night.
Humphries, nicknamed "Cool Hand," entered the match with a noticeable scab on his forehead, which he later attributed to an allergic reaction. He managed to keep his composure, wrapping up the first‑round encounter without needing a deciding set. Chisnall had a brief window to force a third set, but a mis‑thrown dart saw his chance evaporate, and Humphries closed out the match on a double four, even pausing briefly to silence a noisy spectator.
The evening also saw two seeded players exit early. Chris Dobey, a top‑seed, was beaten by Jermaine Wattimena, while Josh Rock fell to Dutch debutant Niels Zonneveld.
Rock had produced a spectacular display, hitting a 180 followed by a 151 to level the match, and even attempted a daring 101 finish involving bullseye, single 1, and bullseye again. However, Zonneveld rallied in the third set, posting three consecutive ton‑plus finishes to claim a place in the last‑16 against Gary Anderson. Gary Anderson, a former runner‑up in 2016, dominated his opponent, sweeping the third set 3‑0 and posting an impressive 110 average. Meanwhile, James Wade demonstrated his veteran grit by coming from a set down to defeat Joe Cullen 2‑1.
Wade survived six missed match darts over two visits, but a crucial bull finish of 81 in the fourth leg of the second set turned the tide. Cullen had been poised to break and potentially win the match, but Wade’s persistence paid off. After a brief hesitation, Wade finally sealed the victory with a double ten, earning a quarter‑final showdown with Stephen Bunting, who had edged past Andrew Gilding 2‑1 in the final first‑round match.
Damon Heta endured his sixth consecutive first‑round defeat at the Grand Prix, a streak that underscores his ongoing struggle at this venue. Heta surrendered a one‑set lead against Anderson and missed a match dart at double five, allowing Anderson to cruise through the second set. Anderson’s dominant performance, highlighted by a 110 average, reaffirmed his status as a formidable contender.
In other notable results, Gian van Veen secured his first win on this stage by defeating fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode in straight sets. Van Duijvenbode had endured early setbacks, losing the first five legs before finally finding his rhythm and forcing a decider with two missed doubles at 16. Van Veen will now face Ryan Searle after "Heavy Metal" (Searle) survived four missed match darts from William O'Connor, clinching the final three legs to win the match. O'Connor, making his first appearance at the Grand Prix in over ten years, delivered an electrifying performance early on, including a 95 checkout with back‑to‑back double 19s, but ultimately could not maintain the momentum.
The tournament continues with a schedule that sees matches played to the best of three sets, with the first player to win three sets advancing. Day three’s action begins at 7 p.m., and fans can follow the live coverage on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event.
The competition will run daily through to the final on Sunday, offering a blend of seasoned veterans and rising talents vying for the prestigious title. For those without a Sky subscription, streaming options are available through NOW with flexible, contract‑free plans. Overall, the World Grand Prix is shaping up to be a thrilling showcase of darts, featuring high‑scoring finishes, dramatic comebacks, and the ever‑present potential for upsets.
Humphries’ steady form, Wade’s tenacious comeback, and the emergence of newcomers like Zonneveld and van Veen add layers of intrigue as the field narrows. As the tournament progresses, spectators can expect more high‑octane performances, strategic play around the double‑start format, and the inevitable drama that makes the Grand Prix a highlight of the darts calendar.